身体健康
shēntǐ jiànkāng
In Chinese, the phrase for "good health" is 身体健康 (shēntǐ jiànkāng).
身体健康 directly translates to "physical health". While 健康 is a common and straightforward way to say "good health" in Chinese, 身体健康 specifically focuses on the physical aspect. To express a wish for someone to have good health, you can use the phrase 祝你身体健康.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 身体健康 is composed of 身体 (shēntǐ), meaning 'body' and 健康 (jiànkāng), meaning 'health'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase 身体健康 is frequently used in formal or polite well-wishing, such as in greeting cards or during New Year celebrations. In contrast, if you want to say someone has good health informally, you can use 身体好.
How does it change in a sentence?
When describing someone's state of health, you often insert an adverb of degree like 很 (hěn, very) between the subject and the adjective, such as in the phrase 身体很健康 (body is very healthy).
How do you pronounce it?
shēntǐ jiànkāng
When do people say it?
To express concern for someone's health among friends and family, you might use 保重身体 (take care of your health) or 要多保重啊 (take good care of yourself).
Did you know?
- In some contexts, saying 身体好 can be a double entendre referring to someone's sexual stamina or physical prowess rather than their medical health.
- The character 健 in 健康 originally depicted a strong person, while 康 was associated with the idea of peace and stability.
- In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of 'health' is often discussed through the balance of 'qi' (energy), making the phrase 身体健康 a wish for internal harmony rather than just the absence of disease.
Examples in context
- 祝您身体健康，年年有余。Wishing you good health and an abundant year.
- 祝你身体好，事业成功！Wishing you good health and success in your career!
- 祝你身体健康。Zhù nǐ shēntǐ jiànkāng.I wish you good health.
- 我们要保持身体健康。Wǒmen yào bǎochí shēntǐ jiànkāng.We need to maintain good health.
Example conversation
Haoran and Xiaowen are talking about their new fitness routine.
- 浩然 Haoran晓雯，你最近在坚持运动吗？Xiǎowén, nǐ zuìjìn zài jiānchí yùndòng ma?Xiaowen, have you been exercising lately?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen是的，因为我想保持身体健康。Shì de, yīnwèi wǒ xiǎng bǎochí shēntǐ jiànkāng.Yes, because I want to maintain good health.
- 浩然 Haoran这很好，身体健康最重要。Zhè hěn hǎo, shēntǐ jiànkāng zuì zhòngyào.That's great, good health is the most important thing.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen谢谢浩然，我也希望你身体健康。Xièxiè Hàorán, wǒ yě xīwàng nǐ shēntǐ jiànkāng.Thank you Haoran, I also wish you good health.
